Peeling machine



Nov. 13,l 1951 l Filed May 20, 1949 B. W. RUTHERFORD PEELING MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet l Ill-gl.

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f/vson/ W. Ru mgm-'ORD Nov. 13, 1951 B. w. RUTHERFORD 2,574,761

FEELING MACHINE Filed May 2o, 1949 17 sheets-sheet 2 ix I Arron/ver 4- INVENToR. BENSON W. RU THE RF ORD Nov. 13, 1951 B. W. RUTHERFORD FEELING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1949 17 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. BENSON W. RUTHERFOHD A TTORNEY Nov. 13, 1951 Filed May 20, 1949 B. W. RUTHERFORD FEELING MACHINE 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 4 THERFORD ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1951 B. w. RUTHERFORD FEELING MACHINE 17 sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 20, 1949 00 V, mw .E VF. N mm R. U m .n .m .W.

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Nov. 13, 1951 aw, RUATHIRFORD FEELING MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 20, 1949 ATTORNEY NOV- 13, 1951 B. w. lau'n-{EFL'FORIDV 2,574,761

FEELING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1949 17 Sheets-Sheet '7 /0 s) v INVENToR.

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A T TOR/VE Y Nov. 13, 1951 B. w. RuTHl-:RFORD FEELING MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 2 lI/J:

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t V//IVI l N if l ll INVENTOR. BE/VSU/v W. RUT/-IEHFORD ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1951 Filed May 20, 1949 B. w. RUTHERFORD 2,574,761

FEELING MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet 9 JNVENTOR. BENSON W. RUTHEHFORD Nov. 13, 1951 B. w. RUTHERFORD FEELING MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet lO Filed May 20, 1949 IN VEN TOR. BENSON RU THE RF ORD ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1951 B. w. RUTHERFORD 2,574,751

PEELrNG MACHINE Filed May 2o, 1949 17l sheets-sheet 11 IN VEN TOR. @N50/V W. HUTHEHFORD BY l TTH/VEY Novf 13, 1951 B, w, RUTHERFORD 2,574,761

FEELING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1949 17 Sheets-Sheet l2 l fl/ 20@ INVENTOR.

BENSON W. RUTHERFRD 13, 95l E, W RUTHERFRQ ZWUS v FEELINGA MACHINE:

Filed May 20, 1949 17 sheets-sheet 13 IN V EN TOR. l

Filed May 20, 1949 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 INVENTOR. E/VSO/V W. RUT/-ERFORD ATTORNEY Nov. 1s, 1951 B. w; RUTHERFRD 2,514,761

FEELING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1949 17 Sheets-Sheet l5 /4 5.9 92 I 92 S7/if" "k 93 34 a6 93/ 88 g4 .9/ R912- 96 INVENTOR. BENSON W. RUTHERFOR A7' TORNEY NOV 13, 1951 B. w. RUTHERFORD 2,574,761

FEELING MACHINE Filed May 2o, 1949 `17 sheets-sheet 1s IN VEN TOR. BENSON W. RUTHERFOHD ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1951 B. w. RuTHr-:RFORD FEELING MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet 17 Filed May zo, 1949 Y INVENTOR. BENSON W. RUTHERFO/PD ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1,951A

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,574,7(31 PEE-'LNG MCHIN Benson W. Rutherford, Sebastopol, alifh. Application Mey 20, 1949, vserial N'. 94,432;

This invention relates te e peelingr machine. Particularly the invention pertains to peeling machines for peeling apples', and the like, in such a manner that the apples are carried in cup-like holders in a suitable position to be engaged by elements of a peeling mechanism and peeled and cored thereby in successive automatic operations in? continuous mot-ion around the machine without the necessity of matinal adjustments or handling.

Particularly an object of the invention is to feed and move holders to a loading position for receiving the' fruit and then to pick up and carry the holders into alignment with a series of peeling mechanisms where the fruit i's lifted from the cups for the performance of the peeling and coring operations thereon.y y Y Another` object f the invention is to' provide peeling and Gering mechanisms', the movements of which with the apples'thereon are coordinated with the rotation of the machinel in such aman-i ner that they operate according to the' position of cups or holders which deli-verf apples to such mechanisms while the cups as Well as the ypeeling and coring mechanisms are' moved aroind central axis as a compact unit. A I

A further object of the invention is"- to provide a compact rotary machine wherein a pluralitiV of mechanisms carry cups in suitable positions to a loading device for receiving the fruit; and then io n. peeling mechanism, elementsn ofwhich latter lift the fruit out ofi the cups and hold itf in perative relations to suitable peelers and' ccrer's while the mechanism is carried .around the machine; the cup carrying mechanisms being adapted to deposit the cups upon a track at said loading' device guiding theV cups to a :fruit receiving position and then again pickingfup the cups' after the same are loaded with the fruit and then moving ,the cups, and the fruit therein, into" ail-igrirn'ent with Said el -`SIne1tSA Of the' peeling mechanism; the op# erations being performed-in'regular cycles-du"` 'ng the'uninterrlptd movement 0f said nits around a common axis'. L A v `Another object of thel inventienisto provideE e group of peeling and coring mechanisms rotated as a unit about an axis,andto provideV novel; conf trolsfor the" actuatl of saifd mecl'lam'siris'vf to' perform their respective` p'ratir's in prdetr mined cycles during theirmoverrentabil'tfsa'id axis; and toprovideffrit holder carriersimovable in synchronized cyels so as` to f` holders lto afloadingN posi on and thenlinove loaded holders* to: the" rspcliv' mechanisms' for with thev respective mechanisms `and also actuated 't 3s claims. (C1. 14e-43) holding the fruit in proper position to be engaged by the adjacent peeling mechanism for peeling and coring. y g

I am aware that some changes' may be made in the general arrangements and combinationsof the: several devices and parts', as well as in the iii details of the construction thereof without departing' from the sope of the present invention as set forth in the following specification, `and as dned in the following claims; hence I do' not limit my invention t the exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and parts as described inthe said specification, nor doI conne myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will beI madel manifest in the following detailed description, referenceV is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of theV invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my peeling machine, viewing itv from the side where the cups move toward the delivery end of the loading track.

Fig.v 2 is a' perspective view of my peeling machine;l viewing it from the side opposite from wherel the' cups are loaded.

Fig. 3` is -a perspective fragmental detail view of a peeling unit of my machine.

Fig. 3A is a sectional fragmental detail view of the' top cam guide and the top of the carriage for the: peeling unit.

Fig. 4Y is a fragmental side View of a peeling mechanism and its" cam control' for fruit pickup, just before lowering to the apples.

Fig. 5- is a perspective View of the stationary skeleton frame of my' machine.

Fig. 6 isa perspective' detail view of the rotating frame of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view or the cap for the suction'devicecf machine.

Fig. s' is another perspective view ci said cap.

Fig. 9 is a sorn'e'vvliat diagrammatic plan Viewv showing the'lr'lativepositions" of the vcup' and its carriage afs it passed the loading position',

Fig". 1'0 is a diagrammatic view showing the coiitrcly and turning of the cup positions substantially'lfrdrri their approach to and removal from the vloading trackl v y Fig. 11 is afrag'mental perspective view of a peelingand coring unit and the adjacent cup carrying tube and mechanis'mi .Fg'. 125 is a r'agmental side View showing the oupoarrying arniiand,` its tube, and? its adjustable monting andf coll-trolK on` the" rotor frame.

Fig. 13 is a fragmental top plan View illustrating the turning control of the cup carrying swinging arm.

Fig. 14 is a partly sectional view showing the suction control for the cups.

Fig. 15 is a fragmental plan view of the discharge portion of the machine.

Fig. 16 is a fragmental side view of the delivery side of the machine.

Fig. 17 is a detail plan view of the supporting bracket for the peeling mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a fragmental view partly in section of the peeling mechanism.

Fig. 19 is a fragmental plan view of the cup turning mechanism in relation to the suction control.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a cup unit.

Fig. 21 is a side view of the cup unit facing the gear segment and drive groove thereon.

Fig. 22 is another side view of the cup unit, partly in section.

Fig. 23 is a rear view of the apple loader.

Fig. 24 is a front view of the apple loader.

Fig. 25 is a partly sectional side view of the apple loader.

Fig. 26 is a detail perspective view of the apple loader inserts.

Fig. 2'1 is a sectional plan view of the apple loader, and

Fig. 28 is a fragmental perspective view of the clutch device for the apple loader.

In general the machine of my invention includes a base I and a central stationary column 2, as shown in Fig. 5, at the upper end of which is supported a cage 3, on the top of which latter is the driving mechanism 4. Around the central column 2 is rotatable on suitable bearings a tubular shaft 6, shown in Fig. 6, which rotates around the central axis oi the column 2. From the tube 6 is extended a multicornered bracket 1 on which are supported suitable cup carrying devices 9, in this illustration also generally tubular. On a lower bracket 9 on the same column are also supported suitable peeling mechanisms I I and coring mechanisms I2 which move in unison with the cup carrying devices 8, as the brackets 1 and 9 turn with tubular shaft 6. On one side of this entire rotating unit is a stationary track I3 on which the cups I4 are carried and held under a feeding mechanism I6 through which latter apples are dropped in pairs into the respective cups I4 which cups I4 are then picked up by said cup carrying devices 8 and moved into alignment with the respective peeling mechanisms I I so that the suitable supporting elements of the peeling mechanism can pick the apples out of the cups for the peeling and coring operations as desired during one revolution of said machine.

There are three of such cup carrying devices 8 arranged on the central tubular shaft 6 and the description Iof one will Suiice because they are identical. This cup carrying device is illustrated in various attitudes subassemblies and details in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 19. From the central driving tube 6 extends the bracket 1 on which is supported a bracket extension I1, which in turn supports a hollow arm I8. From this arm extends downwardly a tube I9. Into the lower end of the tube I9 is telescoped the vertical portion 2| of a substantially L-shaped tubular swinging arm 22. A coil spring 23 inside the vertical tube bears at one end against a flange abutment 24 and at its other end against the top 26 of said vertical portion 2| of the swinging arm 22 to normally urge the swinging arm 22 downwardly. The vertical tube I9 is rotatably supported by a collar 21 on a suitably packed bearing 28 on a base bracket 29, so as to be adjustable around its axis and swing the arm 22 around its axis and thus to hold said arm in various adjusted angular positions. The base bracket 29 is suitably mounted on a flange 3l on the ends of a spider arm 32 extended from the bottom end of the central tube 6, as shown in Fig. 6.

From the hollow arm I8 extends upwardly a conduit 33 which is connected to a vacuum chest 34 on the top of the rotating tube shaft 6. A valve disk 36 is held stationary on said top cage 3 and has an intake conduit 31 offset from its center. A cut away segment 38 oi said disk 36 is about one third of its area. The vacuum chest 34 is divided into three circumferential compartments 39 and its top 4I has a hole 42 above each compartment, so aligned that each hole 42 aligns with the intake conduit 31 of the valve disk 36 in the position of the device when the corresponding cup carrier picks up one of the cups and each hole 42 is aligned with the cut away segment 31 and breaks the vacuum just before the'apples are picked up by the peeling mechanism from the cups on the corresponding carrier. The conduit 31 is connected to a suitable motor driven suction pump or vacuum creating device 43 which is operated continuously to draw a vacuum through the respective tubular cup carrying devices and from the cups in succession as they are carried around on the tubular shaft 6 during a predetermined period of the cycle of operations.

From the collar 21 of the vertical tube I9 of said carrying device extends on one side a rod 44. From the swinging arm 22 extends a guide bar 46. The rod 44 is slidable in the space between the guide bar 46 and swinging arm 22, and urges the swinging arm to turn with the tube I9 but allows the swinging arm 22 and its vertical portion 2| up and down telescoping movement.

The turning of the swinging arm to its various positions is accomplished by a sector gear 41 on the outside of the outer ltube I9 which gear 41 is in mesh with a driving sector gear 48 on a vertical shaft 49, which shaft 49 is journaled in bearings 5I and has a horizontal lever 52 on its lower end, from which extends a vertical roller 53 which moves in a horizontal stationary channel 54 around a cam 56 as the device is rotated around the axis of rotation. The cam 56 is so formed that it turns the lever 52 and rotates the vertical shaft 49, which turns the sector gears 41 and 48 and the tube I9, and the swinging arm 22. As shown in the diagram in Fig. 10 the swinging arm is held relatively stationary at the area A, at the time when it picks up a cup I4 from the tail end of the loading track I 3, and then the outer end of the swinging arm with the cup is moved on an arc radially inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation as the device moves so as to bring the cup under the peeling device behind the pivotal axis. of the respective swinging arms through area B and then to hold the cup in position under the peeling device through the forking area C and then gradually swing the swinging arm 22 outwardly until the cup I4 is deposited upon the track I3 at position D, and then moves the swinging arm 22 again slightly upwardly and nally back to the outward position at area A to pick up a loaded cup on the other end of the track, and then swinging the cup back again under the peeling mecha-I nism and repeating the next cycle of operation. Thel swinging arm 22 remains at about the same height throughout the cycle of` operation up to the point D, and after the cup is deposited upon the track I3 the swinging arm 22 is lowered away from the cup I4. 'Ihis control of the swinging arm 22 as to height is accomplished by means of a fulcrum lever 51 fulcrumed on a transverse pivot 58 on a collar bracket 59 on the central tube 6. A downwardly extended crank arm 5I of said fulcrum lever 51 has a follower roller G2 riding on another stationary cam 63 under a thrust bearing 64 on the frame of the machine. As the carrying mechanism rides around the central axis the cam 63 holds the arm EI out and the fulcrum lever 51 up, until it reaches position D, at which time the fulcrum lever 51 is dropped down and pressed by the coil spring 23 and thereby disengages the cup I4. The follower roller 32 following the contour of the second cam 63 moves the fulcrum lever 51 up at aboutthe posi tion of the swinging arm 22 near the delivery end of the track I3 to lift the swinging arm 22 when it is turned radially outwardly of the device at the area A into the bottom of a cup I4 as, hereinafter described, to carry said cup I4 at said height while the cup is released from the track I3 and then hold the cup I4 under the peeling mechanism and at said height as heretofore described. Y

For engagement with the cup I4, each swinging arm 22 has on its free end an upwardly extended sleeve 66as shown in Figs. 9, 13 and 14, on the top of which is rotatably supported a hollow supporting pin or spindle B1. The pin `61 is frusto-conical and has a plurality of spaced ports 63 around its side, so that a continuous communication is established from the cup I4 through the swinging arm 22, vertical portion 2 I, hollow arm I8 and the inclined top tube 33 Ito and from the suction chest 34.

In order to turn the cup III, as it leaves the track I3, to a position of alignment with the 'adjacent peeling mechanism, the pin 61 has a shaft 415 'the inside of a Short cam strip 11, shown in Figs. l15 and 16. A coil spring 18 is connected to the other end of the cross arm 1I and to the iulcrum,

ear 14 to normally turn the cross arm 1I and the pinv 61 into a position where the cup I4 thereon is generally tangential to the circle oi' rotation of the. device and aligned with the peeling mechanism. A stop pin 19 extended from the bottom of the swinging arm 22 is positioned to stop the cross arm 1I in said aligned position. -The cam strip 11 is supported on a bracket 8| and is positioned and curved to prevent the sudden snapping of the pin 61 and the cup I4 thereon, when the latter is released from the loading track I3, and to guide Ythe operating lever 13 toa vgradual turn under the urging of the coil spring 18.

The fruit holders or cups I4, herein are shown in detail in Figs, 20, 21 and 22. Each fruit holder from 'one ather on 'a hub as." In the bottom of theft-lub 83 is a conical socket 84 which fits over the-'conical pin 61 on the swinging arm 22. The portions of the hub 83 forming base 86 of the cup-like receptacles 82 are hollow and each receptacle 8'2has a large opening 81 in its bottom.

The socket/84 has slots 38 through its side aligned with the' ports'GE of the pin B1, to establish ccmmunication 'from the cup-like receptacles B2 to the' suctionE system heretofore described.

f Each fruit holder I4 has a bracket 89 extended from one side thereof, on the outer edge of which is an arcuate depending flange 9|. Around the top edge `of'the flange 9| is formed a gear segment 192;, Under this gear segment 92 is formed a beltgrcove 93 on an arc parallel with the gear segment`92.; Spaced inwardly under the flange 9| is an ear9`4 extended from the underside of theadjacent cup base, on the end of which is a footfrest 96 to bear against said loading track"|3' for steadying the fruit holder I4 on sai'djtrack.

The` track mechanism under the feeder is shown in Figs. l, 9 and 10 and it includes the arcuate stationary track I3 which is generally concentric with the rotating axis of the cup carrying devices 8. The track I3 is supported on Iposts'IIlI, extending upwardly from brackets |32 ori' the base or-legs I. The depending flange 9| ofl Yeach-fruit holder I4 engages the outside of' the vtrack I3, and the foot rest 96 is on the inside ofjthe track I3. The swinging armsv 22 bring theffruit holders I4 in the position where vsaidiiange 9| and foot rest 96 straddle the top or thejtrack I3. A suitable drive device, such as a V- belt |93 is held frictionally against the outersurfaceof the track I3 by a drive pulley |34 at about the middle of the track I3, and by an idler pulley |06 near the intake end of the track I3. When-the fruit holder I4 is deposited on" the track I3, its belt groove 93 is in registry with the belt`|l3 and the belt ID3 draws the fruitholder I4 along said track I3 toward and t'ofa pinion |01 at about the middle of the track J3. This pinion |01 is suitably driven by a ver- -ticalrdrivev shaft |68 at a desired speed to move the" holders I4 at a slower speed than the movement ofthe holder carrying mechanisms around the'v central axis. AThe gear section 92 of the fruit holder" I3 is pushed by the belt |03 into engagement with said pinion |01 so that the fruit holder 'I34` is drivenand pushed by said pinion |01 along thedischargeportion of the track I3 at a predetermined speed. After each of said fruit hold- 1ers' 'I4 is passed beyond said pinion |01 it is pushed along by the next successive fruit holder 'I4"s' o'fthat a row of such fruit holders I4 passes lal'ong the track I3 all the time. Near said pinion fis-"the feeding mechanism I5 through which" the apples are passed, by a suitable mechatogbehereinafter described, into an aligned :set: 'ofl Gillis* thereunder. The fruit holders I4 'sojl'ledare'then pushed along toward the dis- 

